Silk curtains with mandarin ducks, embroidered quilts perfumed with fragrance, flames dancing atop dragon and phoenix candlesticks, casting light upon a pair of gold-plated ceremonial wedding cups on the table. Xia Yuanxi sat on the edge of the bed wearing a bright red bridal veil, thinking of how she would soon meet her newly wedded husband, and her cheeks flushed with a rosy blush.

The water clock’s sound urged on the long night. A night breeze that had somehow crept in from nowhere made Yuanxi feel chilled. She rubbed her stiff neck and began to sense something was amiss: tonight was the grand wedding at the marquis’s mansion, which should have been filled with banquets and festivities, bustling with activity. Why was it so quiet outside? Where had all the people from the marquis’s mansion gone?

Yuanxi unconsciously tightened her grip on her clothing, feeling somewhat frightened. She tried calling out toward the outside, but the old women and maids who should have been waiting outside the door gave no response whatsoever. Yuanxi grew increasingly anxious, feeling restless and unable to sit still. Just then, she suddenly heard a creak—the door had actually opened.

Yuanxi’s heart pounded wildly. No longer caring about a new bride’s propriety, she yanked off her bridal veil and carefully walked to the door to peer outside. The scene before her eyes left her completely stunned: the courtyard was pitch black, the gauze lanterns that should have remained lit were spinning under the eaves in the wind, and neither servants nor guests could be seen anywhere. In the unfathomable darkness, only one side room across the way showed any light.

Yuanxi felt anxious and hurriedly lifted her skirts to walk over and gently knocked on the door. Who would have known that the door would swing open at the slightest touch? She poked her head inside and was just about to inquire when she saw a woman sitting with her back to the door, wearing bright red wedding robes, facing a bronze mirror while repeatedly combing her hair. This scene was far too eerie. Yuanxi was frightened into a daze on the spot. When she shifted her gaze to the bronze mirror, she couldn’t help but cover her mouth in shock—why couldn’t she see the woman’s face in that mirror!

At this moment, the woman seemed to let out a soft laugh, slowly setting down the peach wood comb in her hand. Just as she was about to turn her head around, Yuanxi was so terrified her heart nearly leaped out. She turned and desperately fled outside. When she finally managed to rush back to her room, she gasped again—this room was completely different from the one she had been in before!

Then she saw a pair of feet—bright red embroidered shoes wrapped around delicate arched feet. These feet were originally quite beautiful, but now they hung lifelessly in the air, swaying back and forth with the wind. Yuanxi dared not look up, struggling to control her constantly trembling body, and ran toward the door again. But no matter how many doors she pushed open, she could never escape this room, could never find her way back.

Finally, Yuanxi was exhausted and helplessly hugged her knees as she collapsed to the ground, only then realizing she was already covered in tears. Just as she was in despair and breaking down, a light suddenly appeared before her eyes. A person wearing silver armor and a red cloak stood in the light, extending a hand toward her. She joyfully stood up and was about to step forward when she discovered there was actually a bottomless abyss beneath her feet.

At this moment, someone suddenly pushed her downward. Yuanxi fell backward, her flying black hair wrapping around her face and neck, making her unable to breathe or cry out. In her final moment of falling, she finally saw clearly the person standing behind her. At that moment, she only felt her entire body was bone-chillingly cold. She opened her mouth but could not utter that form of address no matter what…

Yuanxi suddenly sat up, covering her wildly beating heart, only to discover her entire body was already soaked in sweat. Her personal maid An’he and wet nurse Nanny Li heard the cry of alarm and had already rushed in. Knowing she had had a nightmare, they quickly attended to helping her up and changing clothes, then soaked a cloth to carefully wash her.

An’he was still young and naturally unable to keep things to herself. Seeing Yuanxi frightened pale, she couldn’t help but say indignantly: “I don’t know what kind of intentions the palace has, actually bestowing marriage between our young miss and that infamous harbinger of doom in the capital. The imperial decree came down yesterday, and today nightmares are endless—I’m afraid this will leave lasting trauma.”

Nanny Li was startled and quickly glared at her fiercely, then walked to the window to carefully lean out and look around. Seeing no one eavesdropping, she relaxed slightly and scolded An’he: “Palace affairs are not something someone of your status can discuss. If others heard this, who knows how much trouble it would bring our young miss.”

An’he had spoken too quickly and now regretted it somewhat, but thinking of that harbinger of doom’s rumors of eating human flesh and drinking human blood, she still couldn’t help but redden her eyes. Gripping Yuanxi’s hand with tears, she said: “I’m just indignant for our young miss. Life in this mansion is already full of grievances. I thought if she were matched with a good husband she could finally see better days, but now look—forget about enjoying fortune, I’m afraid even her life might…”

Seeing her speaking more and more outrageously, Nanny Li coldly pinched her arm hard and said sternly: “Keep talking nonsense and I’ll tell the master to have you beaten and expelled from the mansion.” After dismissing An’he to wait outside, she turned back to see Yuanxi still looking dazed and not yet recovered. She guided her to sit at the dressing table and while combing her hair said: “She’s too young and doesn’t understand yet. Miss, don’t take it to heart. In my opinion, what others gossip about is mostly exaggerated. That Marquis Xuanyuan began leading troops before reaching adulthood and beat the barbarians so badly they didn’t dare take a single step toward the border. It’s said that when he returned victorious to court, his appearance and bearing drew countless commoners to praise and crowd around to see him. If it weren’t so, how could he have been valued by the late emperor at only twenty years old and granted early succession to his title? It’s just that the disastrous defeat at Pingdu Pass two years ago somehow left him unable to recover, causing his temperament to change greatly.” Nanny Li couldn’t help but sigh at this point, then continued: “Unfortunately, no one knows what actually happened at Pingdu Pass back then. But those outside rumors about being possessed by evil spirits and becoming violent enough to murder his wife are just wild fabrications by gossipers and can’t be taken seriously.”

Since being granted this marriage, Yuanxi had heard this story at least eight times if not ten. She knew her wet nurse had deliberately inquired about many details, hoping she wouldn’t be disturbed by rumors and could peacefully await her wedding. She felt grateful in her heart but only smiled faintly on her face, saying: “True or false, I’ll only know after marrying into the family. Don’t worry, Nanny Li. Since these are things that haven’t happened yet, no amount of fear and worry will help—I still understand this reasoning.”

Nanny Li knew her temperament had always been thus. Perhaps because she had grown accustomed to being neglected since childhood, she didn’t pay much attention to outside affairs. Originally thinking that since Yuanxi wasn’t favored, if she could be matched with an ambitious scholar and stay away from inner courtyard struggles, it wouldn’t necessarily be unfortunate. Now through strange circumstances she had been bestowed as the marquis mansion’s mistress, and the future… Nanny Li sighed inwardly, truly not knowing whether this imperial decree was honor or disaster.

Yuanxi was unaware of her thoughts and casually selected an earring from her jewelry box, then asked: “What time is it now? Yesterday my sisters invited me to drink tea at Tingxiang Court—I mustn’t be late.”

Mentioning this matter, Nanny Li couldn’t help but roll her eyes and snort softly: “Those sisters of yours usually rely on the master’s favoritism and never even glanced at you properly. Now seeing you’ve been bestowed as a marquis’s wife, they want to get close.”

Hearing her mention father, Yuanxi inexplicably thought of that dream just now, and her expression dimmed, but she quickly said: “We’re family sisters—why calculate such things? Besides, I’ll be leaving the mansion in a couple days and probably won’t have chances to see them again. Having an opportunity to talk with them now is good too.” She suddenly frowned and said somewhat dejectedly: “It’s just that I rarely spend time with them and don’t know what to say or do that would be appropriate.”

Nanny Li still felt some resentment in her heart, but as a servant woman it wasn’t proper to criticize the young ladies too much, so she closed her mouth and arranged Yuanxi’s hair in a double spiral bun, adding a white jade flower hairpin, then accompanied her to Tingxiang Court.

Tingxiang Court was the inner courtyard where the female family members of the Chancellor’s mansion resided. The courtyard featured a lotus canal that channeled living water from outside the walls, winding around decorative rocks before flowing in. Flowers and exotic plants grew alongside the canal, with weeping willows hiding pavilions. When the wind rose, sitting in the pavilion one could smell the fragrance of flowers and plants and admire the clear stream flowing through the canal. Therefore, the young ladies and wives of the mansion loved to drink tea and chat here during leisure time.

Because Yuanxi was born of a concubine and had never earned their father Xia Mingyuan’s affection since childhood, except for meals and festivals, she rarely gathered with these sisters and sisters-in-law. Sitting among them now, listening to them chat about topics she didn’t understand, she felt awkward with her hands and feet, her thoughts drifting further and further away, and even her eyelids began to feel heavy.

At this moment, the women were gathered around looking at a jade bracelet on Third Miss Yuanruo’s wrist. Yuanruo had been betrothed to the second young master of Duke Dingguo’s family since childhood, and the Duke’s mansion frequently sent jewelry and ornaments. This bracelet was entirely flawless emerald green—clearly no ordinary object. Yuanruo was proudly accepting the women’s praise when she suddenly noticed Yuanxi sitting to one side in a daze, so she covered her mouth and laughed: “Still, it’s not as fortunate as sister Yuanxi, who will soon become a marquis’s wife. Give birth to a little heir next year and from then on she’ll only have good fortune to enjoy.” Yuanxi was wandering in her thoughts when she suddenly discovered everyone’s gaze was fixed on her. She immediately felt very embarrassed, and without time to think, could only lower her head and softly respond with a “Mm.”

Seeing her like this, the others assumed she was showing pre-wedding shyness. Second Miss Yuanqing’s eyes rolled as she lowered her voice: “But have you all heard? That marquis’s mansion isn’t very clean. Just around that Marquis Xuanyuan alone, there are quite a few strange incidents.” The women quickly gathered closer to hear Second Miss continue: “The maid Xuan’er in my room has an older sister working in the marquis’s mansion who personally witnessed that Marquis Xuanyuan Xiao Du once married a concubine, but she died tragically in the lake on their wedding night. They say she died horribly—just her tongue alone was pulled out over a foot long, as if claimed by an evil ghost.” The women gasped and covered their mouths, then very deliberately glanced toward Yuanxi, secretly anticipating her reaction. Who would have known that Yuanxi didn’t show the expected expression of fear, but only frowned in thought. After a long while she said: “According to what’s written in books, a human tongue weighs ten taels and is seven inches long—it’s absolutely impossible to extend to a foot. Unless that person had her tongue pulled out before death, but if the tongue were pulled and she were drowned in the lake, the tongue would definitely slip from her mouth and float on the lake surface. So I think this matter is not credible.”

The women looked at each other in bewilderment. Catching sight of the bright red flower petals floating in the canal, they somehow found the pastries on the table hard to swallow. Seeing the atmosphere at the table suddenly turn cold, Yuanxi knew she had probably said something wrong and lowered her head, not daring to speak further.

The eldest sister-in-law, seeing the scene becoming awkward, quickly forced a laugh and smoothed things over: “I hear sister Yuanxi stays in her room reading books every day. I wonder what kinds of books she reads?” Yuanxi became even more embarrassed but couldn’t avoid answering, so she softly said: “Nothing proper—just some idle books about examining corpses and investigating cases.”

Second Miss pursed her lips, her tone carrying some mockery: “Sister Yuanxi’s interests are indeed extraordinary. I just wonder what these books discuss—why don’t you tell us so we sisters can gain some knowledge too?”

Seeing everyone staring at her, Yuanxi thought she finally had a topic she was good at, so she described in detail a case she had read yesterday: how a street vendor died on the street bleeding from all seven orifices, and how his skull was removed to determine the cause of death. Perhaps she described it too vividly, actually frightening these sheltered young ladies until their faces turned pale and their stomachs churned. Unable to continue their tea, they could only hastily disperse.

Yuanxi watched her sisters’ fleeing figures and couldn’t help but sigh deeply: “I really don’t know how to get along with people. I shouldn’t have stayed shut up in my room all day. When I enter the marquis’s mansion in the future, how will I manage?”

Just as she was buried in worried thoughts, she suddenly saw a figure hurrying toward her. Looking carefully, it was Bao Zhu, the maid beside Seventh Concubine. Bao Zhu grabbed her arm breathlessly: “Miss, please hurry and help persuade them! Seventh Concubine and the master are quarreling, seemingly about miss’s marriage.” Yuanxi was startled. Having lost her mother in early childhood and receiving only coldness from her father, in the entire mansion besides her wet nurse and maids, the only one close to her was this Seventh Concubine.

Seventh Concubine had originally been a chamber maid who had borne a young master but unfortunately lost him early. From then on she had treated Yuanxi as her own. If not for this concubine, her days in the Chancellor’s mansion would have been even more difficult. But Seventh Concubine was of humble birth with no family support. If she offended father over this matter, after Yuanxi’s marriage, her position in the mansion would become even more precarious. Thinking of this, she quickly lifted her skirts and ran toward father’s main courtyard.

Perhaps due to excessive anxiety, just as she reached outside the study, Yuanxi’s foot caught on a gingko tree root and she fell hard to the ground. Sharp pain shot through her calf, leaving her sitting by the window unable to stand for a long time. At this moment, she heard Seventh Concubine’s crying voice faintly from inside the room: “She is your own flesh and blood daughter—how can you bear to…”

“Slap!” A heavy slapping sound interrupted Seventh Concubine’s tearful complaint, followed by father’s voice full of rage: “Remember your place! What words you should and shouldn’t say—I shouldn’t need to teach you!”

Yuanxi quickly supported herself against the tree trunk and stood up to look through the window. She saw Seventh Concubine covering her face and weeping continuously while father glared at her with fury, his fists clenched. She had never seen father so angry and became increasingly worried for Seventh Concubine, wishing she could immediately rush in and pull her aside for proper persuasion: since this was the current emperor’s decree, why confront father?

But the wound on her calf was still bleeding. When Yuanxi tried to move forward a step, she felt unbearable pain. At this time, Seventh Concubine had already pushed open the door and rushed out. Due to her leg injury, Yuanxi couldn’t chase after her and could only disappointedly turn to look into the room, hesitating whether she should go in to plead with father for Seventh Concubine. Then she was surprised to discover another person emerging from behind the screen.

This person was wrapped from head to toe in a jade-colored brocade cloak, as if not wanting anyone to see her true appearance. But Yuanxi could see this person had a narrow waist and hips—clearly a woman’s figure. She also noticed that from the wide sleeves emerged a pair of white, smooth jade hands, indicating their owner must live a pampered life with careful maintenance. Looking more carefully, she discovered faint embedded marks on those fingers, probably traces left from habitually wearing protective finger guards.

Yuanxi wondered why such a woman would be hidden in father’s room. With such bearing and status, she surely couldn’t be some newly taken concubine. Seeing the two people in the room speaking in low voices, Yuanxi quickly leaned close to the window but couldn’t hear clearly, only feeling that father’s attitude toward that person seemed somewhat respectful. After a while, father escorted the person out. Yuanxi quickly crouched down and hid in the shrubs, trying hard to see the woman’s face clearly. Who would have known that at this moment father suddenly turned and shouted loudly: “Who’s there!”